Fishbreath
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Joined 17 years ago
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Re: Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) --- Great add-on
I am a big proponent of having a TPMS. In my case, I'm in the travel trailer world with tandem axles. When one tire goes soft or gone, the other tire is in instant overload as it is taking most or all of the weight on that side of the camper. Just like what happens on a dully when one tire goes out. I bought the TST brand (Truck Systems Technology)https://tsttruck.com/ and it monitors both pressure and temperature. Both are good info. I do use metal valve stems, and my truck is old enough, I added them to the truck too. The system saved me on the truck from bead seal leaks on the aluminum rims. "Every" time before I leave with the truck and or camper, I turn the system on, let it warm up and I can see all air pressures before I start towing. If there was a slow leak while at camp or at home, it is easy to see it, and then deal with it before you head out. And naturally when towing you have it live all the time. There is one type of failure the TPM will not detect before it happens, that is an somewhat instant depressurization like the tread just flew off and a second or two later, the whole tire lets go as there is no tread left. " There is another type that the TST system will not detect. I hit a curb and the sensor was knocked off of the wheel and went into the gutter as I drove away. The system never alerted. According to TST that is because it "lost signal". If the sensor was knocked off it should have immediately read zero pressure and alerted. Nope! The TST systems are also known for not sealing on some types of valve stems. Of course they don't tell you this when you buy it. I needed to replace the inner dually extensions several times before I could get it to work. I was not impressed with their product.2.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: towing with gm 6.6 gas
I have a 2022 6.6 gas, 3500 CC, SRW. As stated above, it only comes with the 3.73 gears, no 4.10. I was a little worried about this, but I am please with performance. I do not tow a heavy trailer. To date, I have towed a 7.5k travel trailer and it towed beautifully. The "tow" mode keeps the transmission from hunting and it is very quiet. Gas mileage is 14 mpg, compared to 10.5 for the 6.0 The new truck is significantly quieter than my 2019 3500 with the 6.0. If you have specific questions, send me a PM Bill638Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up
TxGearhead wrote: Foldable shop crane (engine hoist), 2,000# capacity from Harbor Freight. $229. Maybe $20 worth of light duty chain and 1/4" shackles will get that tailgate off by yourself. The weight is one problem. The other is all of the connectors that go to it. This tailgate has wiring for a lock, 2 cameras and two releases for the various tailgate functions. Getting to them (crawl under the truck) and taking them apart (Weather pak type) that I will break, made me search out other ways to accomplish this task. I am just finishing up a bracket for the stairs to attach to the tailgate so that I can use it while the tailgate is on the truck with the camper. I'll post it up soon. Bill613Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up
mkirsch wrote: Fishbreath wrote: Geo*Boy wrote: Fishbreath wrote: Thanks for the replies! With regards to weight on the tailgate with the camper loaded, the Northstar popup has an 8 foot footprint and does not hang over past the floor of the truck bed. I had no desire for the ProGrade tailgate when I ordered the truck, but, it came standard with the trim package that I ordered. I have also learned on-line, that the ProGrade tailgate will smash into a trailer ball if one is installed in the receiver. There are a lot of unhappy people on the net that have pushed the button to lower the gate and have had it hit the hitch ball, leaving a dent in the tailgate. Two companies have already designed work-arounds to prevent this. One is an electronic switch that senses you have a hitch ball installed and stops the tailgate from lowering. The other is a specially-bent hitch/ball combo that drops the ball lower and also tucks it in a little. GM failed to field test this new tailgate while towing. Just a little frustrating. I'll update this situation once I get the tie downs installed and do a trial fit. Thanks! B&W makes a nice tow ball setup that flips inward so the gate doesn’t hit the ball. I have seen the B@W hitch. Unfortunately, you still run the risk of damaging the tailgate if you forget that the hitch ball is installed. It would be easy to oversee because the darn thing is mechanized and can be opened/dropped from inside of the cab. TOO MANY GOODIES! Seems I remember seeing a youtube ad recently about some device that you can add to your tailgate that will keep it from dropping if there is a hitch in the receiver. There is! It is a switch that attaches to the tailgate latches and overrides the tailgate if the hitch has a ball inserted. The company is Tailgatefix.com. I ordered the switch and it should be here soon. I'll post something on the install when I get it.613Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up
Deb and Ed M wrote: I have a Northstar PU TC 8' floor, that I haul on a 6-1/2' bed truck with the tailgate lowered. Before loading, I just cover the back of the tailgate with Transit Shield (also called Tansport Wrap) to protect it. I'm still using the stuff I bought in 2006 to go to Alaska (and used it to protect our Class C.) I just looked up Transport Wrap. Didn't know you could buy the stuff. I just ordered a roll. This was a genius tip! Thanks so much! Best regards Bill613Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up
Geo*Boy wrote: Fishbreath wrote: Thanks for the replies! With regards to weight on the tailgate with the camper loaded, the Northstar popup has an 8 foot footprint and does not hang over past the floor of the truck bed. I had no desire for the ProGrade tailgate when I ordered the truck, but, it came standard with the trim package that I ordered. I have also learned on-line, that the ProGrade tailgate will smash into a trailer ball if one is installed in the receiver. There are a lot of unhappy people on the net that have pushed the button to lower the gate and have had it hit the hitch ball, leaving a dent in the tailgate. Two companies have already designed work-arounds to prevent this. One is an electronic switch that senses you have a hitch ball installed and stops the tailgate from lowering. The other is a specially-bent hitch/ball combo that drops the ball lower and also tucks it in a little. GM failed to field test this new tailgate while towing. Just a little frustrating. I'll update this situation once I get the tie downs installed and do a trial fit. Thanks! B&W makes a nice tow ball setup that flips inward so the gate doesn’t hit the ball. I have seen the B@W hitch. Unfortunately, you still run the risk of damaging the tailgate if you forget that the hitch ball is installed. It would be easy to oversee because the darn thing is mechanized and can be opened/dropped from inside of the cab. TOO MANY GOODIES!612Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Truck, 2013 Northstar Pop Up
Thanks for the replies! With regards to weight on the tailgate with the camper loaded, the Northstar popup has an 8 foot footprint and does not hang over past the floor of the truck bed. I had no desire for the ProGrade tailgate when I ordered the truck, but, it came standard with the trim package that I ordered. I have also learned on-line, that the ProGrade tailgate will smash into a trailer ball if one is installed in the receiver. There are a lot of unhappy people on the net that have pushed the button to lower the gate and have had it hit the hitch ball, leaving a dent in the tailgate. Two companies have already designed work-arounds to prevent this. One is an electronic switch that senses you have a hitch ball installed and stops the tailgate from lowering. The other is a specially-bent hitch/ball combo that drops the ball lower and also tucks it in a little. GM failed to field test this new tailgate while towing. Just a little frustrating. I'll update this situation once I get the tie downs installed and do a trial fit. Thanks!612Views0likes0Comments
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